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Preseason Look

The UAB Blazers are looking forward to the upcoming year with alot of confidence. The Blazers finished the last season with a 4-1 record. This year the Blazers have players returning and ready to make a big stand for Blazer Nation. To start with the Blazers return 2 cornerstone players on defense. DT Elliott Henigan returns to anchor the defense and is a 1st Team NCAA All-American.

Henigan returns this year and will put massive amounts of pressure on QBs and RBs.

Next, FS Ferson Stafford returns to help bolster the D and was named a 2nd Team NCAA All-American

This year's Blazers Defense will be very tough with Henigan putting pressure up front and Stafford patroling down the field.

On Offense the Blazers return QB David Isabelle and WR Nick Adams..both have tons of experience and look forward to getting the season underway

The Blazers are ready to get the season underway and the fans are very excited with very good reason!

Hawaii- Last Year Hawaii had a Great Year going 7-6 overall and 6-1 in Conference play. Their only loss in Conf was Boise St. This Year Hawaii gets the Broncos on their Home Field. Returning on Offense is QB's Bryant Moinz and Austin. Last yr Austin Threw for over 2,500 yrds and 21 td's and 15 Int's. Moniz struggled after being hurt right off the Bat and never recovered. Moniz threw for over 800 yrds and 5 td's and 10 int's. Rb's Green and Dizzmude combined for over 800 yrds rushing last yr and 10 td's. They are gone as they were Seniors. So a very young backfield takes Center Stage. Avery and Bright are Back as the Leading WR's from Last yr. They lose Salas cause he was a Sr. On Defense returns alot of players and lose quite a few to Senior's. So the Defense has a good mixture of young and old. The real ?? is the Kicking Game as they Have a Freshman Kicker for FG's. For Punts they Return Last Years Starter.

CoachGrad had this to say" Yes its a New Year and we have alot of Holes to Fill, I feel this is going to be an interesting Year".

Houston - After traveling down the road to take on LTU the Owls not only lost the game, but lost a key player. Nick Fanuzzi went down early in the 1st qtr with a broken collarbone(EAD EASPORTS) Taylor Cook came in a did a solid job filling in and will become the Owls new engineer. Rice took a lot of positives from the game vs LTU. Establishing a strong runnning game behind Sam McGuffie, finding the offensive line can block this season, and finding a few quality guys that can catch the ball. With the loss of Fanuzzi, the Owls looked a little lost. Where will the fates lay for the Owls who take on the Hawaian Pineapples next week.

UNLV has lost essentially their entire team from last season. With new QBs Mike Clausen and Caleb Herring, this offense is changing course, as well as a new playbook. UNLV have officially turned into the "Runnin" Rebels. They will be going with an option look this year, focusing on the Air Force playbook for this season. HBs CJ Cox and Bradley Randle will anchor the wing positions, and FB David Blair will line up in the middle of the wishbone backfield. Both Clausen and Herring will see snaps this season until one is decided on, as both bring something a little extra. Clausen has speed capable of this option attack, but he isn't as fast as Herring. Unfortunately for Herring, he doesn't have the arm Clausen does. When asked why they chose the Air Force PB, coach replied, "Because it still gives us more options, no pun intended. If we're down, like we saw in the Wisconsin game, we can still line up in shotgun and throw the ball. Army and Navy's books were just straight wishbone." The UNLV defense is not a bright spot by a long shot. They lost just about everyone. The hope for bringing in this option offense is to control the ball and make plays by misdirection. With a team that is not as good as last years 6-7 squad, confusing the opposing defense could be their option for success.

The Marshall Thundering Herd is looking for back-to-back conference championships for the first time in school history. With the loss of quarterback Willie Korn and backup quarterback Press Taylor, the Herd will look to Sophomore Eddie Sullivan to lead the offense. The Herd does, however, return star running backs Martin Ward and Andre Booker. Marhsall also returns all five of their top recievers, including Antavious Wilson and Aaron Dobson. The Herd's season will hinge on the play of Sullivan and the ability to run the football successfully so that he isn't faced with 3rd and longs.

In summary, it should be a great season and an exciting one. Here are some exerpts from Coach Dannyboy0003's preseason press conference.

The Evolution: Coach, how will you replace a player and leader like Willie Korn?Dannyboy0003: "You don't replace somebody like Willie, you pick up the slack in other areas. We have to block better, run better, tackle better, all the little things."

TE: How prepared is Eddie Sullivan to take over the offense?D0003: "Eddie learned a lot from Willie and Press last year and is entering his third year with the program. Eddie has a similar skill set as Willie and is a pretty accurate passer for a younger kid."

TE: What is your response to the rumors that you may not be in Huntington next season? This is the final year of your contract and as yet you have not come to terms on an extension that would keep you here.D0003: "To be honest, that is the furthest thing from my mind. I have too much respect for our program, for our kids, and for our fans to let that be a distraction. That is something that will be addressed in the offseason. My focus right now is preparing for this season."

CSU graduated a lot of talent last season. But a few key players are back. On offense QB Pete Thomas, fresh off of his Freshman All-American selection, comes back with his top receiver from last season Byron Steele. The big loss was in the backfield as both John Mosure and Leonard Mason departed after their senior seasons. This year will be the year for Raymond Carter to step up. He was a transfer in 2009 from UCLA, and he will be spelled by RS FR Chris Nwoke.

On the defensive side of the ball, my DT's will be my biggest question mark. Two great seniors left last season. Both Guy Miller and Ty Whittier were rocks in the middle. Returning this season is OLB Mychal Sisson and most of the secondary. A spot that may be very interesting is weak side CB as Athlete Ray Rhodes will be making the start as a true freshman.

The big rivalry matchup with Colorado starts the season (rocky mountain oysters on special at Invesco Field) followed by a date with C-USA surprise UCF.

What to watch for on offense: The Knights will be lead this year by Senior Rob Calabrese at QB. Coming off a 2800 yard 25 TD performance last year they are looking to him for leadership and direction. Losing Heisman trophy winner Brynn Harvey to the draft filling those shoes are impossible. The Knights do have a great looking True Freshman who will be carrying the rock this year. His name is Clay Woods so all eyes will be on the youngster to see how he performs. Leading the receiving core will be Quincy Mcduffie who had 32 catches for 400 yards last yr.And also Aj Guyton who added 37 catches for 700 yardsthe offensive line is much improved this year with some very stout upperclassmen.Will be all but impossible to match last years performance minus Harvey.But the Knights are looking to finish in the top 3 in Conference USA.
What to watch for on defense:The defense will be lead by standout lock down corner Josh Robinson.This kid does it all and will have half the field locked up most of the year.This will be a must as the KNights lost the majority of its stellar D from last year.This year the KNights will be exposed more often then not.In a rebuilding year this is bound to happen so the young guys will need to learn fast on the fly.

The Schedule: The Knights got turned down by Boise St,TCU,FSU and Miami this year as all four of there coaches denied the letter of acceptance.They will start at home with back to back home games vs Colorado State(USER) and Nevada(USER).Followed by rival Marshall.And then a rematch of last years Conference USA title game @ UTEP(USER).Followed by a rivalry game at home week 8 vs Tulsa.In turn folled by a road rivalry game at ECU.Going on the road week 11 to face the UAB Blazers(USER) in there house.Finishing the regular season off @ UTAH ST(USER).Will be a tough road ahead to say the least for UCF who is looking to find 7 wins out of that daunting schedule.

Best offensive Player: Junior WR Quincy Mcduffie will lead the offense this season coming off a 32 catch 400 yard 2 TD season where he was the 2nd option at WR last yr.

Best defensive Player: Junior Josh Robinson will lead a immature un challenged D.This kid is a phenom and will show it week in and week out all season as he looks to be a solid draft pick in the near future.Coming off 20 tacle 2 int and 14 pass defelection season with 2 forced fumbles the sky is the limit for Mr.RobinsonKey player to a successful season: Junior QB Rob Calabrese will have to be sharp and effective for the Knights ot even have a shot at a bowl game this year.

The season will be a success if ... UCF can finish in the top 3 in Conference Usa.And win a bowl.8-5 would be a great sucess for sure a inexperienced team.Key game: November 5th vs. UAB.This game has all the makings what could be a trip to the Conference title game for the EAST.Should be even more powerfull since it is on the road in hostile environment.

Wyoming hmmmm what can i say about Wyoming. Well we bring back alot of our starters this year which is a good thing. We have had a year in the Pro Style offense so lets hope this year can be a success. We will make a bowl this game this year

Houston - After traveling down the road to take on LTU the Owls not only lost the game, but lost a key player. Nick Fanuzzi went down early in the 1st qtr with a broken collarbone(EAD EASPORTS) Taylor Cook came in a did a solid job filling in and will become the Owls new engineer. Rice took a lot of positives from the game vs LTU. Establishing a strong runnning game behind Sam McGuffie, finding the offensive line can block this season, and finding a few quality guys that can catch the ball. With the loss of Fanuzzi, the Owls looked a little lost. Where will the fates lay for the Owls who take on the Hawaian Pineapples next week.

La Tech looks to complete a turnaround that has been in the making since Terry Bradshaw was quarterback. Along the recruiting trail last year, LTU and Coach Bob picked up a player they thought wouldn't contribute for a few years. MLB Brandon Bass (not the NBA player) developed nicely in spring practice and now is #2 on the depth chart. With his size and speed Bass will be hunting opposing running backs. Also the Bulldogs are impressed with WR Fortson. His speed alone has moved him atop the depth chart. After beating the Owls week one the future may be bright for the La Tech faithful!